Highlands Way Uphill Bike Lane and Utility Upgrades

Work includes reducing traffic to two lanes, and installing an uphill bike lane and watermain from Mamquam Road to The Boulevard. 

Project Background
Cycling access to and from the Highlands has historically been limited despite 17% of the District’s population living in the area (2021 census). While an uphill cycling connection on Skyline Drive (2022) established one connection, challenges with the road alignment and grades at the hairpin turn make it a challenging route for many cyclists.

Highlands Way South is the only viable alternative and provides a direct route for cyclists travelling between the Highlands and Downtown. Improvements to cycling connectivity on Highlands Way South was identified as the top priority for cycling improvements during a well-attended public cycling infrastructure open house in 2019.

Initial studies found the option of building a separated bike lane adjacent to the existing road/sidewalk infrastructure cost-prohibitive due to the requirement of large retaining walls and slope remediation. The current option will utilize the existing road footprint by building an on-street uphill bike lane by removing the passing lane, providing significant cost-savings for taxpayers over the alternative. The existing uphill curb line will remain to allow a safe pull-out in case of stranded vehicles during the winter.

Project details: 

• Uphill bike lane installation
  • First section (lower end) will be a multi-use pathway with traffic separation via curb. Work consists of sidewalk removal for path installation following road widening.
  • Second section (upper end) of the path will transition to on-street with traffic separation via paint only and replacing the previously-used uphill slow vehicle lane The existing sidewalk will remain for pedestrians.
• Installation of traffic separation via tree boulevard at the lower end of the downhill bike lane.
• Additional safety improvements include:
  • Curb bulge installation at the Highlands Way South and Mamquam Road intersection.
  • New pedestrian-activated crosswalk installation at Read Crescent.
  • Additional lighting installation on The Boulevard exit.
• New waterline installation to improve flow for the Paco/Mamquam Road industrial area.

Budget: $1.25M

Timeframe: Estimated to be completed in November 2023.

Impacts: 

• Single-lane alternating traffic.
• Detour of downhill traffic to Skyline Drive may be necessary on some work days.
• Construction noise
• Traffic queuing

Upper end cross-section
(click to view larger)

Lower end diagram
(click to view larger)

Frequently Asked Questions

Will removing one lane on Highlands Way South cause traffic congestion?
Removing one lane is not anticipated to cause any major congestion. There are sometimes slow vehicles on Highlands Way South which will cause some temporary queueing whereas previously these vehicles would have been passed.

Will this project reduce speeding on Highlands Way South?
There will not be opportunities for passing so traffic speeds are anticipated to be more consistent than previously.

What happens if a vehicle gets stuck in the road in the winter or needs to pull over? Can they park in the bike lane temporarily so as to not block traffic?
Yes, in case of an emergency or stalled vehicle, it is ok if a vehicle pulls over into the bike lane temporarily so they don’t block the traffic lane. In this case, cyclists would transition to the sidewalk.

How will the bike lane be separated from traffic?
The new uphill on-street bike lane will be separated from traffic with paint lines. There will not be physical barriers separating traffic and cyclists in the upper section so that vehicles can pull over into the bike lane in case of an emergency and for easier snow clearing.

Will the new bike lane be plowed in the winter?
Yes, it will be plowed as part of the Public Works winter plowing routine.

Why did the downhill bike path get moved away from the road in the lower end?
This was undertaken to create a treed boulevard which further separates cyclists from traffic to improve safety and experience while also providing a place for snow storage when the road is plowed, and which previously blocked the path.

Highlands Way South is narrower at Read Crescent now. Are you removing the left-hand turn lane to Read Crescent?
No. The left-hand turn lane will remain, although it will be shifted to accommodate the new multi-use path.

Why are you installing a crosswalk at Read Crescent?
A crosswalk is being installed in order to improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians and improve the connection between Read Crescent and Highlands Way South.

Is the downhill path for bikes or pedestrians?
The downhill path is for bikes only. All pedestrians should use the sidewalk on the east side of the road to go up and down Highlands Way South.

Why are you doing water utility work at the same time as the bike lane?
This is being done it is more cost effective to mobilize one contractor for to complete all of the work rather than mobilize contractors for two separate projects.

For any inquiries regarding this project, please contact Jon Allan at jonallan@squamish.ca or phone 604.848.4842

June 29, 2023